The Incan stone fortifications above Cusco, at Sacsayhuaman, say a lot more about the Inca’s skill in stonework than their skills in warfare.
You’ll recall that the Incas, divided by civil war, were the empire defeated by a party of less than 200 Spanish conquistadores, after the surprise attack and capture of emperor Atahualpa by Francisco Pizarro. But even after the emperor was killed, and the Spanish took control of Peru, other Inca warriors fought on. Four years after the capture of Atahualpa, Manca Inca raised an army of 100,000 warriors and attacked the Spanish garrison in the Inca capital city, Cusco. Once again, less than 200 Spanish troops faced off against a huge Inca army. But with the help of 10,000 native allies, the Spanish held their ground. Incredibly, the Spanish went on the offensive and attacked Sacsayhuaman with a frontal assault. And they took it.
Experts haven’t yet figured out how the Incans were able to carve the unique shapes in each huge stone, and drop them perfectly into place. All modern attempts to recreate their techniques have failed.
